University Announces its Second Laureate Professor

Wednesday 24 August 2005

One of the world's leading experts in the area of infertility, Professor John Aitken has become the University of Newcastle's second Laureate Professor.

The appointment to the position of Laureate Professor is a means of recognising a Professor of the University who is internationally acknowledged to be of the highest academic distinction.

Professor Aitken is a leading researcher in the fields of human fertility, diagnosis and treatment, the development of contraceptive vaccines and in the application of reproductive technology to animal conservation.

He is internationally distinguished for his work in the field of reproductive biology and in particular his work on male infertility.

He was the lead researcher in a bid that won a $9.5M grant to establish the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre for Biotechnology and Development at the University, which works to develop practical outcomes from several clinical fields including male contraception, testicular cancer, male infertility and environmental impacts on human health.

Professor Aitken has been closely associated with Edinburgh's internationally famous Centre for Reproductive Biology and has carried out work for the World Health Organisation.

Professor Aitken has filed seven international patents relating to his work and he has 580 publications including 2 books to his credit.

Professor Aitken said, "I am deeply honoured by my appointment as a Laureate Professor and welcome the opportunity it provides to contribute to the University's international standing as a site of research excellence."

Professor Aitken has also recently received the ST Huang-Chan Memorial medal from the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong for his research activities in Biomedical Science.

Professor Aitken was appointed Professor and Head of Biological Sciences at the University of Newcastle in 1998.

Professor Graeme Jameson from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment was named a Laureate Professor earlier this year.

For information and interviews contact Professor John Aitken on (02) 4921 6143.